Description
The ecryptfs_privileged_open function in fs/ecryptfs/kthread.c in the Linux kernel before 4.6.3 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (stack memory consumption) via vectors involving crafted mmap calls for /proc pathnames, leading to recursive pagefault handling.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 4.6.2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 4.6.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 4.6.2-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt25-2+deb8u2 | DSA-3607-1 |
| Debian 7 | linux | 3.2.81-1 | DLA-516-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux | 4.4.0-24.43 | USN-3006-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-raspi2 | 4.4.0-1012.16 | USN-3007-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-snapdragon | 4.4.0-1015.18 | USN-3008-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux | 3.13.0-88.135 | USN-2999-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-utopic | 3.16.0-73.95~14.04.1 | USN-3000-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-vivid | 3.19.0-61.69~14.04.1 | USN-3001-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-wily | 4.2.0-38.45~14.04.1 | USN-3002-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-xenial | 4.4.0-24.43~14.04.1 | USN-3005-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +16 | 2.6.32-642.11.1.el6 | RHSA-2016:2766 |
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-416.el5 | RHSA-2016:2124 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6.7 EUS | perf +16 | 2.6.32-573.47.1.el6 | RHSA-2017:2760 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | kernel-docs | 3.12.59-60.41.8 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1696-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | kernel-syms | 3.12.59-60.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1696-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | kernel-xen +3 | 3.12.59-60.41.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1696-1 |
| SLES 12 | kernel-docs | 3.12.55-52.45.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1596-1 |
| SLES 12 | kernel-ec2 +5 | 3.12.55-52.45.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1696-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1596-1 |
| SLES 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_11 | 4-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2010-1 |
| SLES 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_12 | 2-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2006-1 |
| SLES 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_7 | 6-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2014-1 |
| SLES 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_8 +2 | 5-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2005-1, SUSE-SU-2016:2002-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1995-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | kernel-docs | 3.0.101-77.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:1672-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | kernel-ec2 +7 | 3.0.101-77.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1672-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | kernel-ec2 +7 | 3.0.101-0.47.86.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2245-1 |
| SLES 11 SP2 | kernel-ec2 +6 | 3.0.101-0.7.53.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:0333-1 |
Show 10 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | kernel-syms | 3.12.59-60.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1696-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | kernel-xen +2 | 3.12.59-60.41.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1696-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | kernel-xen +3 | 3.12.55-52.45.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1596-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_11 | 4-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2010-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_12 | 2-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2006-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_7 | 6-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2014-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_8 +2 | 5-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2005-1, SUSE-SU-2016:2002-1, SUSE-SU-2016:1995-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | kernel-ec2 +7 | 3.0.101-77.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1672-1 |
| SLE Real Time 12 SP1 | kernel-rt +5 | 3.12.61-60.18.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1937-1 |
| SLE Real Time 11 SP4 | kernel-rt +3 | 3.0.101.rt130-57.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1985-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_0 | 5-14.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:1961-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_1 | 5-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1994-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_2 | 4-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2009-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_3 | 3-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2007-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_4 | 2-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2000-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_5 | 1-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1696-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_7 | 1-4.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_13 | 1-3.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1596-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 5 | kernel-ec2 +6 | 3.0.101-0.47.86.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2245-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 2.1 | kernel-ec2 +6 | 3.0.101-0.47.86.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2245-1 |
| SUSE Manager 2.1 | kernel-ec2 +6 | 3.0.101-0.47.86.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2245-1 |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Sale 11 SP3 | kernel-ec2 +6 | 3.0.101-0.47.86.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2245-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | kernel-source | 4.8.13-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10128-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | dtrace-modules-3.8.13-118.14.1.el6uek +1 | 0.4.5-3.el6 | ELSA-2019-4644, ELSA-2016-3636 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | dtrace-modules-3.8.13-118.14.1.el7uek +1 | 0.4.5-3.el7 | ELSA-2019-4644, ELSA-2016-3636 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | dtrace-modules-4.1.12-61.1.17.el6uek +1 | 0.5.3-2.el6 | ELSA-2016-3644, ELSA-2016-3635 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | dtrace-modules-4.1.12-61.1.17.el7uek +1 | 0.5.3-2.el7 | ELSA-2016-3644, ELSA-2016-3635 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | kernel-uek +5 | 3.8.13-118.14.1.el7uek | ELSA-2019-4644, ELSA-2016-3644, ELSA-2016-3636 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Linux Kernel - 'ecryptfs' '/proc/$pid/environ' Local Privilege Escalation EDB-39992 · local · Jun 21, 2016 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 37
- RHSA-2016:2124 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2017:2760 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2016:2766 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- USN-3006-1 linux vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- USN-2999-1 linux vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-516-1 linux - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3607-1 linux - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-3007-1 linux-raspi2 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-3008-1 linux-snapdragon vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-3000-1 linux-lts-utopic vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-3001-1 linux-lts-vivid vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-3002-1 linux-lts-wily vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-3005-1 linux-lts-xenial vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2002-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 10 for SLE 12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1937-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1672-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2005-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 8 for SLE 12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10128-1 kernel-debug-4.8.13-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2007-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 3 for SLE 12 SP1 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2014-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 7 for SLE 12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1961-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 0 for SLE 12 SP1 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1696-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1596-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2000-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 4 for SLE 12 SP1 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2017:0333-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1995-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 9 for SLE 12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2010-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 11 for SLE 12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1994-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 1 for SLE 12 SP1 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1985-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2009-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 2 for SLE 12 SP1 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2006-1 Security update for Linux Kernel Live Patch 12 for SLE 12 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2245-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
- ELSA-2019-4644 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · May 16, 2019
- ELSA-2016-3644 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 20, 2016
- ELSA-2016-3636 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 3, 2016
- ELSA-2016-3635 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 3, 2016
References
- USN-3006-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-3004-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:2010 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f5364c150aa645b3d7daa21b5c0b9feaa1c9cd6d
- RHSA-2016:2766 vendor-advisory
- USN-3001-1 vendor-advisory
- https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.6.3
- SUSE-SU-2016:1696 vendor-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=f5364c150aa645b3d7daa21b5c0b9feaa1c9cd6d
- SUSE-SU-2016:1994 vendor-advisory
- 39992 exploit
- SUSE-SU-2016:1961 vendor-advisory
- USN-3005-1 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=836
- SUSE-SU-2016:1985 vendor-advisory
- 91157 vdb-entry
- openSUSE-SU-2016:2184 vendor-advisory
- USN-2999-1 vendor-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=2f36db71009304b3f0b95afacd8eba1f9f046b87
- SUSE-SU-2016:2006 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160610 [vs-plain] Linux kernel stack overflow via ecryptfs and /proc/$pid/environ mailing-list
- SUSE-SU-2016:2014 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2016:1641 vendor-advisory
- USN-2997-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-3000-1 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f0fe970df3838c202ef6c07a4c2b36838ef0a88b
- DSA-3607 vendor-advisory
- 1036763 vdb-entry
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/2f36db71009304b3f0b95afacd8eba1f9f046b87
- USN-3002-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-2996-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:1672 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:2009 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:1596 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2017:2760 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:2005 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:2007 vendor-advisory
- USN-3007-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:2000 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2016:2124 vendor-advisory
- USN-3003-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:1995 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:2105 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160622 Re: [vs-plain] Linux kernel stack overflow via ecryptfs and /proc/$pid/environ mailing-list
- SUSE-SU-2016:2002 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1344721
- USN-2998-1 vendor-advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/137560/Linux-ecryptfs-Stack-Overflow.html
- USN-3008-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:1937 vendor-advisory